Rio Rancho Pure--New Mexico's first Aquifer Injection Project

How we use water, where it comes from, and how to sustain our water resources are just a few of the questions the City of Rio Rancho faces on a daily basis. There is not an endless supply of water, so we need to think about ways to conserve and look into alternative ways to make sure we do not run out. The City of Rio Rancho is doing just that. Rio Rancho is the first City permitted in the State of New Mexico to replenish groundwater by putting water back into the aquifer.

Since 2001, the City of Rio Rancho has been working to expand its water resources. The Aquifer Injection Project, the first of its kind in New Mexico, will allow the City to inject up to 1,000,000 gallons per day of purified water back into the aquifer, which is equivalent to building every four days (90 per year) one above ground storage tank that costs approximately $2 million each.

From inception to date, the cost to bring this project online has been approximately $25 million stemming from a variety of sources over the years.

This water will recharge the aquifer to maintain it as a drinking water source now and for future generations.